Best Beauty Products

Kohl FrontBlack kohl eyeliner was white-hot on fall runways like Gucci, Versace and Galliano, and is already showing up for spring 2013 at John Bartlett, Versus and Badgley Mischka. Lancome’s classic, Le Crayon Kohl, which hasn’t changed since 1965, is just the ticket.

Deep PurpleThe new fall nail is purple with more than a hint of metallic gleam. Spiritual from Tony & Tina is a glittering, deep lilac; Scullcap from Alchemy is an intense metallic grape; and Curfew from Urban Decay is an iridescent, two-toned pink-mauve.

Shake ItPackaged in an adorable, pastel-painted canister complete with shaker and powder puff, Flaunt is a genius new glimmering body powder from Stila that smells as good as it looks. The four powders  each with the sheerest hint of color and sparkle  are perfectly, subtly scented (respectively) with violet, jasmine, green tea, and gardenia.

An Italian IdyllIf the sybaritic vacation in Southern Italy is nothing but a hazy memory, Erbe’s traditional Italianphytotherapy and aromatherapy bath soaps will transport youright back. Made with soothing plant extracts and essential oils, these exquisitely packaged, creamy soaps are available in three therapeutic scents, calendular, lavender and bergamot.

From the ValleyPacked to the gills with country-house-hungryInternet instazillionaires, the Napa Valley is the new Provence. Or perhaps the new Tuscany: Cielo, a new fragrance from Northern California’s wine country, is infused with grape leaves, citrus blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle and Daphne Odora, a native shrub. The bath salts are packaged so beautifully, it’s almost a crime to use them.

Wake Up CallThe Glow of the MomentBackstage at Jill Stuart’s spring show, make up artists used sheer, ripe berry blushes for that just-pinched-cheeks look. Alchemy has the very color  hydrangea  a matte cranberry with a hint of mauve.

Big Is BackCarelessly tousled, and curvier than Giselle and Naomi rolled into one, the new hair  at spring shows like Michael Kors and Jill Stuart  has more volume than we’ve seen in several seasons. Packed with botanicals and nutritional supplements, the new Enhancing Foam from Modern Elixirs, a new collection from John Paul Mitchell, provides incredible body and control.

A New Lease On Life, BottledThe latest weapons in the war against aging include Millenium Energist from Elizabeth Arden, a revitalizing emulsion for women from 30 to 50. With natural soy, vitamin A-enriched avocado, sea algae and vitamin E, it promises to promote radiance and visibly reduce fine lines in just two weeks.Primordiale Intense, new from Lancome, is an advanced re-texturizing treatment that works in three ways: refining, repairing and protecting. With extracts of bilberry, lemon peel, sugar cane, and sunflower seed, as well as gatuline (an alternative to hydroxy acid), it helps repair the appearance of already-damaged skin.

Unline, by Estee Lauder targets the eye area, promoting natural collagen production and strengthening the skin. Containing a triple lipid blend to lock in moisture and optical diffusers to refract light, its fresh cucumber scent is addictive.